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Don't like or use Microsoft's Edge browser? Tough, Microsoft plans to make you use it

Microsoft comes up with a new way to foist its unloved and little used Edge web browser on people

Microsoft is planning to try, once again, to foist its unpopular Edge web browser on users by over-riding their system preferences.

In the latest 'Skip Ahead' build (17623) of Windows 10 for its Insiders, the built-in Windows Mail client has been set to open any links within emails with Microsoft Edge, even if you've set the operating system to open up in your preferred browser - Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi or whatever by default.

This time, though, instead of doing it sneekily without telling anyone and then claiming that it was all just a mistake, Microsoft is fronting it out and claiming that it's only doing it in our best interests because the Edge browser (current market share: less than five per cent) is so good.

The Windows Blog explains: "For Windows Insiders in the Skip Ahead ring, we will begin testing a change where links clicked on within the Windows Mail app will open in Microsoft Edge, which provides the best, most secure and consistent experience on Windows 10 and across your devices.

"With built-in features for reading, note-taking, Cortana integration, and easy access to services such as SharePoint and OneDrive, Microsoft Edge enables you to be more productive, organized and creative without sacrificing your battery life or security. As always, we look forward to feedback from our WIP community."

So there you have it: not at all self-serving.

As we've already noted, Edge's market share is less than five per cent - or only just over two per cent when non-PC form factors are taken into account.

Even on Windows 10, it can still only muster a market share of 12.85 per cent, despite being the only browser that comes preinstalled and default out of the box, and the only one that Cortana will condescend to use.